Phased Red 1965

Thomas Downing made this painting, Phased Red, which explores colour and form through a series of carefully placed circles against a vibrant red ground. There’s a real sense of process at play here; like he's experimenting with how different colours interact and how simple shapes can create a dynamic composition. The surface has this wonderful matte quality, and the paint application is so smooth and even, it almost feels like a print. Look closely at the circles; each one has a slightly different tone, ranging from a pale pinkish-red at the top to grey at the bottom, with white in the middle. I love how they seem to float against the red background, creating this subtle sense of depth and movement. It’s a simple gesture, but it speaks volumes. Downing reminds me a bit of Josef Albers, who was also fascinated by colour relationships. But where Albers was very systematic, Downing feels a little more playful, a little more intuitive. Ultimately, it's a reminder that art is an ongoing exploration, a conversation between artists across time and space.